ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This descriptive study evaluated endometrial histology, microvascular density and caliber, and quantification of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-3) expression in long-term users of the Nestorone (NES)-releasing implant who presented or not endometrial breakthrough bleeding (BTB). METHODS: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from 32 healthy women with unpredictable BTB. The quantitative analysis was performed only in 20 samples. RESULTS: The mean duration of use of the implant among the 14 women with BTB was 19.6+/-1.0 months, and the other six women had used the implant for 17.7+/-2.3 months (mean+/-S.E.M.). Histological analysis of the endometrial tissue showed a predominance of progestogenic pattern followed by atrophic and proliferative endometrium in both groups. Mucosal breakdown and glandular pseudostratification were observed in half of the cases. Endometrial vascular density was 73.1+/-10.0 and 57.5+/-24.1 vessels/mm(2), and maximum vessel diameter was 923.3+/-86.0 and 1038.0+/-404 microm (mean+/-S.E.M.) in the group with and without BTB, respectively, without significance, and the rate of cells expressing MMP-3x1000 counted stromal cells was 155.8+/-24.8 and 127.0+/-19.0 (mean+/-S.E.M.) in both groups, respectively, without significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information about some endometrial aspects of women using NES in contraceptive implants. In addition, the endometrium was similar during long-term use of NES-releasing contraceptive implants in women with and without endometrial bleeding.
